Plyometric Exercise Apparatus

ABSTRACT

A plyometric exercise device and associated method is disclosed. The device comprises a polyhedron with a plurality of side surfaces. At least two exercise platforms are mounted to a respective two side surfaces of the polyhedron, each of the side surfaces having a respective, opposing, parallel base surface of the polyhedron. The polyhedron is configured such that each of the side surfaces is at a different height above and parallel to a floor when its opposite base surface is set on the floor. A method of exercising using the device includes setting any one of the base surfaces on the floor and exercising on the exercise platform opposing the base surface at the corresponding height, and setting one of the other base surfaces on the floor and exercising on the exercise platform opposing the base surface on the opposing height.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.61/563,995, filed Nov. 28, 2011, and U.S. Provisional Application No.61/603,419, filed Feb. 27, 2012, which are both hereby incorporated byreference.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure generally pertains to exercise devices, and moreparticularly, to plyometric exercise devices. Some example exercisesdevices may be used by individuals participating in sports conditioningor fitness exercises.

SUMMARY

In a first embodiment, a plyometric exercise device includes apolyhedron with a plurality of side surfaces. At least two exerciseplatforms are mounted to a respective, adjacent two side surfaces of thepolyhedron. Each of the two side surfaces has a respective, opposingbase surface of the polyhedron, and the polyhedron is configured suchthat each of the two side surfaces will be at a different height aboveand parallel to a floor when its opposite base surface is set on thefloor.

In a further detailed embodiment, the plyometric exercise device has atleast three exercise platforms mounted to a respective three sidesurfaces of the polyhedron, each of the three side surfaces having arespective, opposing, parallel base surface of the polyhedron. Thepolyhedron is configured such that each of the three side surfaces willbe at a different height above and parallel to a floor when its oppositebase surface is set on the floor.

A method of exercising associated with the plyometric exercise devicedisclosed includes setting a first one of the base surfaces on the floorand exercising on a first exercise platform opposing the first basesurface at a first height; rotating or flipping the device, and settinga second one of the base surfaces on the floor and exercising on asecond exercise platform opposing the second base surface at a secondheight.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other features of the present disclosure will becomemore fully apparent from the following description and appended claims,taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Understanding thatthese drawings depict only several embodiments in accordance with thedisclosure and are, therefore, not to be considered limiting of itsscope. The disclosure will be described with additional specificity anddetail through use of the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 shows an example of the prior art;

FIG. 2 shows a first exemplary plyometric exercise device from aperspective view;

FIG. 3 shows a first exemplary plyometric exercise device at a firstsetting;

FIG. 4 shows a first exemplary plyometric exercise device at a secondsetting;

FIG. 5 shows a first exemplary plyometric exercise device at a thirdsetting;

FIG. 6 shows a second exemplary plyometric exercise device from aperspective view;

FIG. 7 shows a third exemplary plyometric exercise device from aperspective view; and

FIG. 8 shows a fourth exemplary plyometric exercise device from aperspective view.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description, reference is made to theaccompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. In the drawings,similar symbols typically identify similar components, unless contextdictates otherwise. The illustrative embodiments described in thedetailed description, drawings, and claims are not meant to be limiting.Other embodiments may be used, and other changes may be made, withoutdeparting from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presented here.It will be readily understood that the aspects of the presentdisclosure, as generally described herein, and illustrated in theFigures, may be arranged, substituted, combined, and designed in a widevariety of different configurations, all of which are explicitlycontemplated and make part of this disclosure.

FIG. 1 shows an example of a prior art plyometric exercise device 100,having a single platform and base, and a single platform height. Device100 has a base parallel to the platform, which, as shown, is slightlylarger than the exercise platform, causing each of the side panels ofthe frame to be identical trapezoids. The trapezoids are not capable offorming a support base with an opposite, parallel surface to the floor.Thus, prior art device 100 has a fixed height.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of an exemplary plyometric exercisedevice 200. This perspective shows the polyhedron frame 210 of thedevice 200. In this embodiment, frame 210 defines a rectangular prism,and may be constructed from metal square tubing welded at right angles.Three adjacent platforms 202, 204, and 206 cover the sides of the prism,and the underside of each platform is seen through the frame 210. Eachplatform 202, 204, 206 is adjacent to both of the other platforms.Platforms 202, 204, and 206 may be attached to the frame by any secureattachment means, such as with screws 220 a, 220 b. Platforms 202, 204,and 206 may be made of metal, plastic, rubber, or wood.

In this embodiment, the support bases to each of the platforms 202, 204,206 are left open, i.e. do not have a corresponding platform. Frame 210contains three dimensions including a length, a height, and a width-each of which may be set perpendicular to the floor, by rotating thedevice 200, and used as a height for exercise device 200. There are fourparallel identical frame legs which together forms the vertical supportfor each of the three heights, and for simplicity, the four identicalsupport legs are referred to as a single leg. Frame 210 has threeselectable heights, defined by leg 212, leg 214, and leg 216. Becausethe frame 210 is covered by a platform, the height of the platformincludes the frame leg and the thickness of the platform 202, 204, or206. Platform 202 is supported by frame leg 212 at a height of 212 a.Platform 204 is supported by frame leg 214 at a height of 214 a.Platform 206 is supported by frame leg 216 at a platform height of 216a. As an example, three heights 212 a, 214 a, and 216 a provided byframe legs and platform may be 9 inches, 12 inches and 15 inches.However, these three measurements may vary.

FIG. 3 is a view of plyometric exercise device 200 flipped or rotated soplatform 202 is parallel to the floor, functioning as the usableexercise surface 202 a, at a height defined by edge 212 a. Edge 212 a isformed along frame leg 212 where platforms 204 and 206 meet. So that theplatforms create a flush surface over frame 210, some exercise surfacesinclude the edge of an adjacent platform, while other exercise surfacesinclude only one platform. For example, exercise surface 206 a comprisesa single platform 206, while exercise surface 204 a comprises a platform204 as well as the edge of platform 206; and exercise surface 202 aincludes platform 202, as well as the edge 214 a and 212 a. A resilientcover 240, such as a texturized or rubberized sheet, may be applied overeach platform 202, 204, and 206, providing friction as well asdurability to the platform surface.

The user may choose from three predetermined heights per plyometricdevice 200 to perform plyometric exercises. In some embodiments, theuser may choose from two predetermined heights per plyometric box 200.The platform height is selected by flipping and/or rotating device 200so the frame leg 212, 214 or 216 corresponding to the desired platformheight is perpendicular to the floor. Plyometric exercise device 200 maybe used as a step surface for plyometric exercises, or for any purposerequiring a stable flat platform.

FIG. 4 shows plyometric exercise device 200 rotated so platform surface204 is parallel to the floor, functioning as the usable exercisesurface, at a height defined by edge 214 a. Edge 214 a is formed alongframe leg 214 where exercise platforms 202 and 206 meet. FIG. 5 showsplyometric exercise device 200 rotated so platform surface 206 isparallel to the floor, functioning as the usable exercise surface, at aheight defined by edge 216 a. Edge 216 a is formed along frame leg 216where exercise platforms 202 and 204 meet.

In a further exemplary embodiment of device 600 shown in FIG. 6, all sixsides of frame 610 is covered by an exercise platform; i.e., theopposing faces to each exercise platform 602, 604, and 606 have acorresponding exercise platform, identical in size and exercise height.Each corresponding exercise platform 603 (not shown), 605, and 607,respectively may comprise either the exercise surface, or its supportbase. In this embodiment, the height of the platform includes the lengthof the frame leg, as well as the thickness of both of the correspondingplatforms covering the frame 610. Because the platforms cover over theframe 610, in order to create a flush box some platforms must extendpast the frame 610, and some exercise surfaces contain the edge ofanother platform, while other platforms cover the entire exercisesurface. For example, platform 606 comprises the entire exercise surface606 a, while platform 604 includes the edges of platforms 606 and 607 tocomprise its exercise surface 604 a; and platform 602 includes the edgesof platforms 604, 605, 606, and 607 to comprise its exercise surface 602a. In the orientation shown in FIG. 6, exercise platform 602 is thecurrently in-use exercise surface 602 a with a height 612 a. A resilientcover 640, such as a texturized or rubberized sheet, may be applied overeach platform, providing friction as well as durability to the platformsurface.

FIG. 7 shows a third embodiment of plyometric device 700, includingsupport frame 710, exercise platform 702, and exercise platform 704. Inthis embodiment, the support base opposite each platform is left open.Frame 710 includes a plurality of feet 730 on the base opposing eachplatform 702, 704, and 706 (not shown). Feet 730 are distributedsymmetrically on frame 710 at support points, for example at each framejunction of a perpendicular support (i.e, frame leg 712, 714, 716). Feet730 may be rubber or another non-slip material to provide a grippingforce, and may also act as shock absorbers when device 700 is used forplyometric exercise. Feet 730 may also be formed from other knownmaterials.

FIG. 8 shows a fourth embodiment of plyometric device 800. In thisembodiment, platform surface, 802 and 804 are recessed into frame 810.Recessing the platforms 802 and 804 into frame 810, instead of coveringover frame 810, allows each platform to lie flush with the frame, andavoids multiple configurations of some exercise surfaces being comprisedof a single platform, and other exercise surfaces having the edge ofanother platform comprising the exercise surface. Frame 810 determinesthe height of each platform, and the thickness of the platform does notadd additional height to the exercise surface.

While example embodiments have been set forth above for the purpose ofdisclosure, modifications of the disclosed embodiments as well as otherembodiments thereof may occur to those skilled in the art. Accordingly,it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited to the aboveprecise embodiments and that changes may be made without departing fromthe express scope of the following claims. For example, it is within thescope of the disclosure to form the plyometric device from moldedplastic components, or even as a single molded plastic or resincomponent. Likewise, it is to be understood that it is not necessary tomeet any or all of the stated advantages or objects disclosed herein tofall within the scope of the disclosure, since inherent and/orunforeseen advantages may exist even though they may not have beenexplicitly discussed herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A plyometric exercise device comprising: apolyhedron with a plurality of side surfaces; and at least two exerciseplatforms mounted to a respective two side surfaces of the polyhedron,each of the two side surfaces having a respective, opposing base surfaceof the polyhedron; the polyhedron being configured such that each of thetwo side surfaces will be at a different height above and parallel to afloor when its opposite base surface is set on the floor.
 2. Theplyometric exercise device of claim 1, further comprising a resilientcover mounted over each exercise platform.
 3. The plyometric exercisedevice of claim 1, wherein the polyhedron is assembled from a pluralityof corner beams.
 4. The plyometric exercise device of claim 3, whereineach exercise platform is recessed within the plurality of corner beams.5. The plyometric exercise device of claim 3, wherein the plurality ofcorner beams are square or circular.
 6. The plyometric exercise deviceof claim 1 wherein the respective, opposing base surfaces are parallelto the exercise platforms.
 7. The plyometric exercise device of claim 1,further comprising a plurality of feet attached to the respective,opposing base surfaces.
 8. The plyometric exercise device of claim 1,wherein the exercise platforms are positioned adjacent to each other. 9.The plyometric exercise device of claim 1, wherein the polyhedron is asix-sided polyhedron.
 10. The plyometric exercise device of claim 9,comprising three of the exercise platforms and three of the respective,opposing base surfaces.
 11. The plyometric exercise device of claim 10,wherein a first one of the exercise platforms is spaced from itsrespective opposing base surface at distance of about 9 inches, a secondone of the exercise platforms is spaced from its respective opposingbase surface at a distance of about 12 inches, and a third one of theexercise platforms is spaces from its respective opposing base surfaceat a distance of about 15 inches.
 12. The plyometric exercise device ofclaim 1, wherein the two different heights provided by the two sidesurfaces are taken from a group consisting of about 9 inches, about 12inches and about 15 inches.
 13. The plyometric exercise device of claim1, comprising: at least three exercise platforms mounted to a respectivethree side surfaces of the polyhedron, each of the three side surfaceshaving an opposing, parallel base surface of the polyhedron; thepolyhedron being configured such that each of the three side surfaceswill be at a different height above and parallel to a floor when itsopposite base surface is set on the floor
 14. The plyometric exercisedevice of claim 13, wherein the three different heights provided by thethree side surfaces are about 9 inches, about 12 inches and about 15inches.
 15. A method of exercising comprising the steps of: providingthe plyometric exercise device that includes a polyhedron with aplurality of side surfaces and at least two exercise platforms mountedto a respective two side surfaces of the polyhedron, where each of thetwo side surfaces have a respective, opposing base surface of thepolyhedron, and where the polyhedron is configured such that each of thetwo side surfaces will be at a different height above and parallel to afloor when its opposite base surface is set on the floor; setting afirst one of the base surfaces on the floor and exercising on a firstexercise platform opposing the first base surface at a first height; andsetting a second one of the base surfaces on the floor and exercising ona second exercise platform opposing the second base surface at a secondheight that is different than the first height.
 16. The method ofexercising of claim 15 wherein: the plyometric exercise device includesa third exercise platform mounted to a third side surface and a thirdbase surface opposing the third side surface; and the method furthercomprises setting the third base surface on the floor and exercising ona third exercise platform opposing the third base surface at a thirdheight that is different than the first and second heights.